Check out the capabilities of Garmin's latest flagship model, the fēnix 8 series! What's new?

In June and August 2024, I visited Garmin's US headquarters in Olathe, Kansas, in the Midwest, and shared my insights into Garmin's appeal as a manufacturing company. Finally, at the end of August, Garmin released the new flagship GPS smartwatch, the fēnix 8 series. This time, I'd like to introduce its features and appeal.

The strongest ever! The first flagship model in 2 years!

　Garmin develops and sells a wide variety of smartwatches, all of which are highly functional. Therefore, many people have trouble choosing one for the first time. At the top of the list is the "Flagship GPS Watch" category, known for its ambassador and Japan national rugby player, Michael Leitch, in the "fēnix" series. As you'd expect from a "flagship" watch, it's equipped with cutting-edge features that fully cover everyone from professional athletes to business people. In other words, if you're unsure which one to choose, you can't go wrong by choosing this series.

　On August 29, 2024, this series evolved into a new generation. The "fēnix 8 Sapphire AMOLED" launched on this day. This marks the first new model in about two and a half years since the previous model, the "fēnix 7," was released on January 20, 2022, and the first in about a year since the "fēnix 7 Pro," released in June 2023. As the name suggests, the watch features a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal crystal, the same hardness as a luxury watch, second only to diamond. Instead of the traditional MIP (memory-in-pixel) display, it features a self-luminous, clear AMOLED (organic light-emitting diode) display. Case sizes are available in three diameters: 43mm, 47mm, and 51mm.

　The fēnix 8 Sapphire Dual Power series will also be released on October 4, 2024, featuring a solar charging function and an even longer battery life than the AMOLED model. This model features a sapphire crystal crystal and an MIP LCD screen for improved visibility, even in strong light such as direct sunlight. The built-in solar charging function also boasts a 50% increase in power generation. This model is available in 47mm and 51mm diameters.

　There is also a "fēnix E 47mm" model available for 138,000 yen (tax included), which has reduced functionality and specifications, such as not being suitable for diving and not having a sapphire crystal crystal, making it more affordable.

　At Garmin's US headquarters, where I visited during a press tour commemorating the company's 35th anniversary, preparations for the release of this model were likely well underway. As befits a new model for the anniversary year, this is the best Phoenix model ever, packed with evolution and refinement. I've heard that sales are booming in the US, too. This is no surprise when you consider its specifications. Below, I'll introduce and explain its appeal in detail.

Easy-to-read display, call and voice control functions

　Let's start with the "fēnix 8 Sapphire AMOLED" series. Its greatest appeal is its AMOLED (organic light-emitting diode) display, which is self-illuminating, has high contrast, and is significantly brighter and easier to see than the MIP LCD used in the "fēnix 7" series.

　Another attractive feature is the new feature, which is the first for the fenix series to be equipped with a microphone (dual microphones) and speaker, allowing for calls on the smartwatch. Up until the fenix 7 series, the watch would notify you of incoming calls, but you could not make calls on the smartwatch; you had to use a smartphone to make calls. However, since it cannot be equipped with an e-SIM, just like a regular smartwatch, you need to have a paired smartphone nearby to make calls.

　The built-in microphone also allows the device to recognize certain voice commands to access and operate functions.In addition to finding your smartphone, you can also use your voice to turn airplane mode on and off, set and operate timers and alarms, launch apps such as the weather forecast, start and stop activity recording, and control audio functions such as playing, stopping, and skipping music data stored in the device's memory, as well as adjusting the volume.

　Furthermore, you can now use the voice assistant functions of your paired smartphone, such as Google Search and Siri, right at your fingertips. This is also a major improvement over the fēnix 7 series.

It can also be used as a diver's watch!

　Another major advancement in functionality is the inclusion of a diving mode capable of handling depths of up to 40 meters. The push buttons have been upgraded to "waterproof inductive buttons," allowing for safe operation at this depth, and the various sensors inside the watch are also protected to withstand this water pressure. This means that the fēnix 8 series can be used as a diver's watch right out of the box. It also allows you to create dive plans, calculating the "no-decompression dive time" (how many minutes you can dive without making decompression stops at the planned depth).

Highlights include training plan suggestions and upgraded map data

　Garmin's smartwatches are far superior to other brands in the wide range of activities they support. They support over 100 activities, from the most popular to the less popular, and measure and analyze them. This time, a new, groundbreaking and fascinating feature has been added to this feature: they can use the measured data to suggest targeted strength training plans and training plans specific to the user's sport.

　Additionally, it comes with built-in map data essential for navigation and activities, such as the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan-approved "Detailed Map of Japan," as well as golf courses and ski resorts around the world. One of the most interesting features is the "Dynamic Round Trip" function. For example, if you set "I want to go for a 5km run" while on a business trip, the watch will automatically create a recommended 5km course, and if you stray from the route while running, it will automatically adjust and guide you to within 5km of the course.

Battery life has also been significantly extended!

　A major advantage of Garmin and the fēnix 8 Sapphire AMOLED series compared to other smartwatches is their long battery life. Most smartwatches with AMOLED displays have a battery life of around 24 hours, meaning they need to be charged every day.

The fēnix 7 Pro had a battery life of approximately 18 days in smartwatch mode and approximately 57 hours in GPS mode*1, while the fēnix 8 Sapphire AMOLED 51mm has extended this to approximately 29 days in smartwatch mode and approximately 84 hours in GPS mode. Furthermore, the fēnix 8 Sapphire Dual Power 51mm, which is equipped with solar charging, has significantly extended this to approximately 48 days in smartwatch mode*2 and approximately 149 hours in GPS mode*3!

*1 Excluding solar charging.
*2 Assuming use outdoors under conditions of 50,000 lux for three hours a day for one week.
*3 Assuming use under conditions of 5 lux.

　The main reason many people use smartwatches these days is for their health monitoring features, such as measuring heart rate, pulse, blood oxygen saturation, and recording and analyzing sleep. The most important thing about using these features is a long battery life, meaning you can wear it all the time without removing it from your wrist. If the battery life is only about one day, you'll need to charge it every time you take it off your wrist, such as when you take a bath, or your health data won't be collected, and the monitoring function will be incomplete. But that's no problem with Garmin, as the battery life has been further improved in the fēnix 8 series.

In addition to the Suica* touch payment function, it also has the long-awaited accident detection function

　Its compatibility with a wide variety of sports activities and the incredible functionality that has earned it the trust of professional athletes remain unchanged. It now supports diving, and when you check the specs again to see that it supports over 100 sports, you'll be amazed at the sheer number of options, and the depth of its functionality, depending on the sport.

　It is compatible with water activities such as surfing, kayaking, and fishing, outdoor sports such as gym training, running, swimming, trail running, hiking, mountain climbing, and golf, winter sports such as cycling, snowboarding, and skiing, as well as team sports such as basketball, volleyball, soccer, American football, lacrosse, rugby, and baseball. It is also compatible with motorcycles and motocross. There are also many other lesser sports that are compatible.

　In addition to the touch payment function using Suica*, an electronic money essential in daily life, new features have been added that are desired for everyday life, such as a safety and tracking function that can detect accidents and automatically call for rescue.
*"Suica" is a registered trademark of East Japan Railway Company.

　As mentioned at the beginning, the new fēnix 8 series is one of the best choices among smartwatches, supporting users in any situation, from top athletes to business people, 24 hours a day with its diverse functions and long battery life.

　For all watch enthusiasts, we highly recommend wearing a watch on your wrist in addition to your favorite mechanical watch, as it will help you live your daily life with greater peace of mind, health, and activity.